yorkshirepooches

Yorkshire Pooches Therapies Events

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:40:50 GMT

Let's talk all things Canine Pain Management!

If you have found your way to Yorkshire Pooches Therapies, you will know that talking all things Canine Pain Management! Below is a list of lectures, online events at YPT and events I'm attending with other companies. Make sure to come back and check this calendar regularly as more things will be added throughout the year!

MARCH 2026

05/03/26 - 08/06/26
Crufts, with Photizo (NEC, Birmingham )

APRIL 2026

17/04/26 - 19/04/26
The Dog Behavior Conference, lecturing (Victoria Stilwell Academy, Online)

MAY 2026

30/05/2026

You Can't Train Away Pain, lecturing (YPT Education Centre, WF10)

JUNE 2026

20/06/2026 - 21/06/2026
APBC Conference, with Photizo (Mecure Daventry, NN1)

30/06/2026

You Can't Train Away Pain, lecturing (YPT Education Centre, WF10)

JULY 2026

AUGUST 2026

SEPTEMBER 2026

02/09/26 - 03/09/26
Impact Working Dog Conference, lecturing (Niagara Conference Centre, S6)

OCTOBER 2026

17/10/2026

You Can't Train Away Pain, lecturing (YPT Education Centre, WF10)

NOVEMBER 2026

Hop, Skip & a Jump with Totally Pawsome Dog Training

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:52:15 GMT

Building Trust, Tackling Pain, and Changing Perceptions

In this episode of Hop, Skip and a Jump, Yaz from Yorkshire Pooches Therapies sits down with Sarah from Totally Pawsome Dog Training to talk about the evolving world of ethical, force-free dog training and how behaviour and pain are more connected than many realise.

Yaz and Sarah’s professional journey began when Sarah brought her German Shepherd, Mavis, to the Yorkshire Pooches clinic. That partnership soon evolved into a collaborative working relationship, helping dogs whose pain and behaviour issues often overlap.

“Nine times out of ten, ” Yaz explains, “these things aren’t isolated, pain changes behaviour.”

Sarah’s path into professional training started with a lifelong love of animals. Having worked with horses for years, her natural curiosity about behaviour led her to study to become a Dog Trainer. “It might have been a bit of a midlife crisis,” she jokes, “but it turned into the best decision I ever made.”

Like many in the field, Sarah admits she still battles imposter syndrome, the feeling of never knowing enough. Yaz relates, noting the Dunning-Kruger effect, where the more knowledge you gain, the more you doubt your abilities. Both agree that support networks are vital. Sarah and her peers from her training course stay connected through their “virtual staff room” where they share advice, challenges, and plenty of laughs.

When it comes to her work, Sarah’s passion lies in understanding the emotional side of behaviour. Her dog Mavis, a sensitive soul, has been her greatest teacher. “She’s taught me compassion, patience, and how much the smallest environmental change can affect a dog’s state of mind” Sarah says. Something as simple as a new floor texture can trigger anxiety, powerful reminders that every dog experiences the world differently.

Yaz and Sarah also explore how training philosophies have evolved. Many owners still rely on outdated alpha or dominance-based techniques, often out of habit or lack of awareness. “We were raised that way,” Sarah admits. “But once you know better, you do better.” Both encourage positive reinforcement, rewarding desired behaviours rather than punishing unwanted ones.

The pair also touch on affordability and accessibility. Not everyone can afford private training or therapy, and both professionals stress the importance of free educational resources and community support. “Having a team, your village of trainers, therapists, and vets around you is a luxury,” says Sarah. “But good information should never be gatekept.”

One thing is clear: the future of dog care lies in collaboration, compassion, and curiosity. Whether it’s recognising pain before it becomes behavioural, adapting training methods, or empowering owners with knowledge, the goal is always the same — helping dogs live happier, healthier lives.

Check out the full conversation with Sarah of Totally Pawsome Dog Training

Hop, Skip & a Jump with Canine Massage Therapy Essex

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:03:20 GMT

Slatmills and Canine Fitness: When “Exercise” Becomes a Welfare Issue

Slatmills are self-propelled treadmills originally popularized in the U.S.A—are now showing up across the UK. Marketed as a great way to “burn energy,” they’re often found in vans, car parks, and even daycare centres. While they may seem like a convenient fitness solution for high-drive or reactive dogs, the real cost of slatmills could be your dog’s long-term health.

Amanda is a qualified Galen Myotherapist, running her own business Canine Massage Therapy Essex . As professionals working in canine rehabilitation and functional movement, we see the fallout from these trends in canine exercise. Dogs arrive with chronic strain, movement dysfunction, and even injuries that develop silently over time.

Misaligned Equipment, Misguided Intention

Let’s start with the equipment itself. Many slatmills use a spring and harness system designed to increase resistance. These springs often sit right in the middle of the dog’s back, applying force through a vulnerable area—where the thoracic spine meets the lumbar. This zone isn’t built for pulling; it's built for flexibility.

What About Regulation, Insurance, Oversight?

One major concern is the lack of regulation. Who’s supervising these sessions? Do the operators have canine first aid training? Are they insured?

Imagine putting a brachycephalic breed—like a Frenchie or a Bulldog—on a slatmill. These breeds are already prone to heat distress, which doesn’t always show up immediately. A dog might collapse hours later with delayed-onset heat injury. If the operator isn’t trained to spot early signs, who bears the responsibility?

It’s Not Just About Fitness—It’s About Ethics

Let’s be honest: slatmills look appealing. If you’re a pet parent with a reactive dog who struggles off-lead, it can seem like a dream solution. Someone shows up at your house and lets your dog "exercise" in your driveway. But ask yourself: is this truly benefiting your dog, or is it a well-marketed shortcut?

This isn’t about judgment. It’s about informed choice. We would never tell someone what to do with their dog—but we will always explain the risks. In the case of slatmills, the risks far outweigh the benefits. Not one qualified physio or vet we’ve spoken to has recommended them.

Unlike purpose-built canine treadmills or underwater therapy units—designed and overseen by professionals—slatmills lack safety protocols, movement analysis, and custom programming.

Check out the full conversation with Amanda Daniels of Canine Massage Therapy Essex

Hop, Skip & a Jump, with Dr Carol Hughes

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 14:38:17 GMT

Dog Gut Health: A Microbiome Journey

What began as a pharmaceutical research project aimed at developing a natural anti-obesity treatment soon evolved into one of the UK’s most innovative ventures in canine microbiome health. The team had been exploring compounds in wild spinach and quinoa—but when the next trial phase required testing on caged beagles, they drew a firm ethical line.

A chance encounter with Professor Jamie Newbold, a leading expert in ruminant microbiomes, proved pivotal. Why try to force compounds through the gut wall, he asked, when you could explore their effects within the microbiome itself? That question reframed everything—shifting the focus from drug development to gut ecology and the broader ecosystem within each dog, Biome4Pets began!

What followed was a leap forward in microbiome testing, driven by technological innovation and real-world curiosity. A once-impractical method of collecting and freezing stool samples at -80°C gave way to biosensor-based kits developed with Professor Chris Gwennon. This made home testing commercially viable and led to the creation of a growing database at Biome4Pets

Early findings revealed striking differences across regions. Dogs in Australia, despite strict biosecurity, harboured high pathogen loads—likely due to contact with wild environments. UK dogs, in contrast, showed reduced microbial diversity from over-sanitised living conditions. These insights revealed a core truth: the gut is not just an organ—it’s an ecosystem, constantly shaped by diet, water, medication, and the environment.

Take Yorkshire Pooches Peggy, a Romanian street dog who survived in a kill shelter before coming to the UK. Despite no further vaccines after arrival, she remains immune to multiple diseases—thanks to early, diverse microbial exposure. Two fully vaccinated British dogs, by comparison, showed immunity to just one disease.

More recently, a growing concern is the rise of cyanobacteria in UK water systems. Changes in filtration—such as the use of certain metals like brass—may be allowing this toxic bacteria to escape treatment. Dogs exposed through drinking water have shown microbiomes overwhelmed by cyanobacteria, leading to malnutrition, acid reflux, and immune dysfunction.

It doesn’t stop at physical health. The gut-brain connection in dogs is becoming clearer. Bacteria like Satella—once rare—are now appearing in up to 15% of dogs tested, particularly those on raw diets. These bacteria form biofilm "friendships" with others, strengthening their resilience and possibly contributing to ADHD-like behaviors. Dogs with hypermobility often show gut issues, over-arousal, and obsessive behaviors, pointing to a deeper link between neurodivergence and the microbiome.

So, what can pet parents do? One powerful step is to add rosemary to their dog’s diet (unless seizure-prone). This natural herb helps break down biofilms and supports microbial balance. Clean, filtered water is also essential—dogs can detect chemical residues we may not even notice.

Ultimately, this journey from drug discovery to microbiome exploration has uncovered one core truth: when it comes to canine health, the gut holds far more answers than we ever imagined. And by understanding this ecosystem within, we’re better equipped to protect the dogs we love.

Check out the full conversation with Dr Carol Hughes below.

If you want to learn more about how the Microbiome and Pain interlink, be sure to check out Dr Carol's Lecture through YPT Online Training.

Hop, Skip and a Jump with Helen of Roots to Rehab

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:53:32 GMT

Reshaping Canine Rehab - A natter with Roots to Rehab

This episode of Hop, Skip and a Jump I had the absolute pleasure of catching up with Helen from Roots to Rehab. I first met Helen about a year ago at my seminar, You Can’t Train Away Pain, and right away I knew she was someone who “gets it” – the kind of therapist who puts an animal’s needs first, every single time.

Helen runs a mobile underwater treadmill business. Yes, you read that right — a fully kitted-out van with a German-imported treadmill, filters, UV sterilisation, and a whole lot of heart.

What struck me most about Helen’s work is her flexibility. If a dog is nervous, she doesn’t force the “rulebook” approach. Measurements can wait; muzzles aren’t used unless absolutely necessary, and if a harness causes discomfort, she’ll adapt. For Helen, each session belongs to the dog — not her, not the pet parent — and she works at their pace.

We swapped stories about our favourite kinds of cases. For Helen, it’s the “tough nuts” — the dogs who arrive anxious, defensive, or flat-out refusing to participate. Slowly, through trust and patience, she wins them over. I completely relate. In pain management, a huge part of the job is listening to what the animal is telling you — not just through behaviour, but through tiny changes in posture, gait, and body language.

We also talked about one of my favourite geeky topics: why water temperature matters. Cold water tightens muscles and can increase discomfort, whereas warm water relaxes, improves circulation, and sets the body up for healing. We both see too many people promoting cold-water swims for dogs without mentioning the risks — from “swimmer’s tail” to flare-ups in canine arthritis.

One of Helen’s most inspiring stories was about “Dotty”, a Dachshund with grade-five IVDD who started completely paralysed in her hind limbs. Through months of tailored hydro sessions — starting with an isolation plate to work just the back legs — Dotty is now walking again in the treadmill, albeit with a slightly wobbly “drunk gait”. That resilience is why I love working with animals; they don’t dwell on what’s been lost, they focus on what’s possible.

Consistency was another theme. Whether it’s weekly sessions for spinal cases or gradually moving to maintenance visits every 6–8 weeks, regularity makes all the difference. Sporadic therapy rarely produces lasting change — but when owners commit, the results can be life-changing.

The conversation reminded me why I love doing what I do. It’s not just about the hands-on work — it’s about adapting, problem-solving, and giving each dog the dignity of choice in their care. Helen’s van might be mobile, but her ethos is rock-solid: meet the dog where they’re at, and build from there.

Catch the full podcast episode below,

Hop, Skip and a Jump with Rachel Bean RVN

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:44:33 GMT

From Kennels to Global Classrooms: Natter with Rachel Bean RVN on Canine First Aid

In this episode of Hop, Skip, and a Jump, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Rachel Bean — a registered veterinary nurse, canine first aid educator, and someone who’s shaping standards in the pet care industry.

I’ve known of Rachel’s work for a long time, but hearing her story firsthand was inspiring. She started out back in 1994 as a Dogs Trust kennel manager, later training as a veterinary nurse and qualifying in 2001. Even now, she still works in practice, balancing her clinical days with her passion for teaching canine first aid.

What began as a few voluntary sessions for RSPCA staff has grown into an Ofqual-recognised qualification — a huge achievement in an industry that, let’s be honest, is largely unregulated. Anyone can call themselves a first aid instructor, but without real knowledge and hands-on experience, the wrong information can be dangerous. Rachel is determined to change that by ensuring the training is accurate and evidence-based, especially for pet professionals like groomers, trainers, and behaviourists.

Her work doesn’t stop at the UK border. She’s travelled to Thailand to work with street dogs, to India and Cyprus to support shelters, to Beijing to train local dog trainers, and to Kenya where she worked with Action for Cheetahs. In Kenya, she helped handlers look after detection dogs trained to track cheetah scat for conservation research — a fascinating project that shows just how far her skills can go.

One of the most valuable parts of our conversation was Rachel’s update on current heat stroke guidelines. Too often, I still see outdated advice being shared online. Heat stroke is life-threatening, but it’s usually preceded by heat stress — and that’s when we have the best chance to act.

CURRENT HEAT STROKE ADVICE

WET THEN VET – If you’re near a vet, start cooling the dog immediately, then get there with air conditioning blasting.

RAPID COOLING SAVES LIVES – If you’re further away, immerse (not submerge) the dog in the coldest water you have, then transport. Tepid water is not effective enough.

For elderly dogs, puppies, or those with serious health conditions, avoid full immersion — wet them thoroughly and use fans or AC instead.

Rachel also spoke about cooling coats. They can be brilliant in the right situation, but shouldn’t be used as a free pass to exercise dogs in dangerous temperatures.

As someone who works with dogs every day, I know just how differently each one handles heat. Some, like brachycephalic breeds, are more vulnerable, but even the healthiest dog can make poor decisions — like lying in full sun for hours.

This chat with Rachel reminded me why I’m so passionate about sharing good, practical information. When accurate knowledge gets out there, it saves lives — not just here in the UK, but all over the world.

Check out the full episode below and Rachel Bean RVN's socials

FB- https://www.facebook.com/RachelBeanVetNurse/?locale=en_GB

Insta- https://www.instagram.com/rachelbeanrvn/?hl=en

Website- https://www.vet-on-set.co.uk/

Wound Healing with Photizo

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:06:23 GMT

DORIAN'S STORY

Before we dive into this wound healing protocol, I think it is only right we find out who these tootsies belong to, meet Dorian.

Dorian enjoyed an active sporting life, but sadly, following undiagnosed OCD and two failed orthopaedic implants, he had to have his LHL amputated. Dorian’s pain management is complex given his history and current pathology, so he is monitored closely.

His current management involves regular massage, Photizo, analgesia, homoeopathy and lifestyle management. Dorian still lives a full, active life and when a sore appeared on his LFL digit we created a bespoke healing plan.

PHOTIZO AND WOUND HEALING

Photizo Vetcare is simple-to-use and was developed for pet and animal owners to use at home to treat pain caused by a range of underlying health conditions as well as wounds. I have personally used this device in my clinic since day 1 and have never looked back!

It uses red and near-infrared LEDs to stimulate cell activity, which accelerates the natural healing process, and is an affordable alternative to professional laser treatments. It provides drug-free pain management for degenerative conditions in animals.

WOUND HEALING PROTOCOL

STEP 1- LEUCILLIN

Anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal spray. Leucillin works in harmony with the bodies’ own immune system by containing the active ingredient Hypochlorous. Hypochlorous (HOCl) is a naturally occurring chemical in the mammalian body produced by white blood cells. Wound flushed and cleaned daily with Leucillin

STEP 2 - PHOTIZO DOSAGE

Held approximately 1 inch away from the wound, 3 doses applied daily. This was alongside the normal daily Photizo routine. Wavelengths 633 nm (red) and 850 nM (infrared) – each dose includes both wavelengths simultaneously.

STEP 3 - FRENCH GREEN CLAY

Applied daily to the wound to draw out impurities and form an antibacterial barrier.

CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF WOUND HEALING OVER 12 DAYS

COMPARISON

-ANY RECOMMENDATIONS DO NOT CONSTITUTE OR REPLACE VETERINARY ADVICE-

Dorian’s sore was fully healed within 12 days. Wound management is always important, but even more so in an amputee who doesn’t have the ability to ‘not’ use his LFL. Dorian is a big, lovable goofball, and sadly, we are likely to see these sores again.

Changes in weight bearing will inevitably put pressure on new areas of the digits, where we can see a loss of hair and in some cases, sores. As part of his ongoing pain management, we will continue to monitor for the start of any new sores.

With wound healing, we are looking to promote healing from the wound bed up. The last thing we need to heal over is the outer layer of skin. This ensures we are not prematurely closing the wound and running the risk of trapping infection under the skin. I have found that the 3 doses of Photizo approximately 1 inch away from the wound, is sufficient to support healing on a cellular level.

Yorkshire Pooches Therapies is a proud Photizo Ambassador and stockist. Grab your own device here

If you have read this far, when purchasing a Photizo through Yorkshire Pooches Therapies, use the discount code
YPT-PHOTIZO for £25 off your unit.

Canine Pain Warriors

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:38:55 GMT

If I talk about pain, will people listen?

To cut a long story short, YES people will listen. The picture above was my first cohort of CANINE PAIN WARRIORS!
You Can't Train Away Pain, is my exclusive in-person full-day seminar, and we dive into some pretty heavy topics.

�� Canine Anatomy, looking at whole body systems and how they can influence the pain experience.

�� Common MSK conditions, understanding these pathologies through X-ray images and more.

�� Identifying gait abnormalities, getting to grips with the biomechanics of the canine.

⚡ Mechanics of pain, from sensory input to processing in the CNS, how a pain experience occurs.

��‍�� Behaviour & Pain, an in-depth look at the biopsychosocial model and how we can apply this to dogs.

�� Case studies, group work to cement the day's learning.

This course lasts 5 hours and builds attendees from the ground up to understand the complex tapestry of the canine pain experience. To get through this day and present sound case studies at the end had me dubbing attendees as WARRIORS. I hope to inspire passion and curiosity, because our dog's and the ones we work with deserve the best.

Here is a list of Canine businesses that are YPT Certified Canine Pain Warriors

Confident Canine Coaching Academy Hurley's Grooming Salon and Training Academy
Focus Dog Training The Bearded Pooch
Roots to Rehab Wild Paw Dog Training
Holistic Hounds and Other Animals Lead The Way Wirral
The Underdogs Training Dames and Dukes Dog Grooming
S erenity Canine Therapies Big Paws Little Paws Grooming Salon
Rebecca The Dog Trainer Nourish & Nosh Holistic Pet Shop
Rudi's Canine Coaching Scentsational Dogs
Deborahs Dogs The Travelling Trainer

If you would like to attend this exclusive in-person seminar, keep an eye on the events page for upcoming dates.

Who loves a bargain?!

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 13:54:29 GMT

Yorkshire Lass loves a bargain!

I'm a Yorkshire lass through and through.
A spade is a spade.
Pain is pain.
A bargain is a bargain!

I'm SUPER careful about the brands that I will associate myself with, I have a responsibility to pet parents who interact with Yorkshire Pooches Therapies. I want to ensure that what you invest in is cost-effective, actually effective, and tested with my own dogs. Below are links to companies who I have discount codes for, some of these I receive kickback and others I don't. I can assure you I'm not buying my second home in Portugal, it 100% goes towards my dogs haha!

Aniforte discount code - YSPOOCHES10

Aniforte has a great range of natural supplements, some of my favourites being German Moor Mud , Green-Lipped Lipped Mussel Powder and Algae Oil . Get yourself a cheeky 10% off

Antinol discount code - YPT5

I can confidently say this is the best green-lipped mussel extract on the market, with clinical studies too! Treat your pooch to 5% off for a starter pack or one-off purchase.

Oh so precious discount code - YP10

I am so sentimental so of course I fell in love with this range of pet keepsakes, teat yourself to 10% off.

Happy shopping,
Love Yaz, Lily, Rodney & Peggy xx

Introducing Charlotte our Online Vet Physiotherapist!

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 12:24:57 GMT

Welcome to the YPT team Charlotte!

Charlotte is a Veterinary Physiotherapist at Raybrook Veterinary Physiotherapy specialising in canine rehabilitation with a keen interest in holistic care. Charlotte focuses on providing a consent based approach to her work, with remedial exercise programmes tailored to each individual dog.

Charlotte works in partnership with Yorkshire Pooches Therapies as the resident Online Veterinary Physiotherapist to bring together a multi-modal team of canine professionals. Having experience and knowledge of orthopaedic, neurological and soft tissue cases, Charlotte has brought together her knowledge and expertise to help better musculoskeletal health and improve quality of life.

Dogs of all shapes, sizes, breeds, ages, capabilities and temperaments are all welcomed with the same enthusiasm and dedication when planning individual exercise programmes. Charlotte prides herself on delivering a thorough assessment to ensure all dogs receive care specific to their needs, ensuring the best outcome for your dog.

Learning is a continual and important skill as a Veterinary Physiotherapist, alongside her postgraduate qualification in Veterinary Physiotherapy, Charlotte has continued her study of:

- Joint supplements - Current and Ethical Pharmaceuticals

- Kinesiology taping - Canine Behaviour

- Stem Cells - Force Free training and Practices

- Natural and fresh feeding - Canine Conditioning

Charlotte is a member of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists and fully insured. This ensures that services provided are of the highest standard and are in accordance with current legislation.

Charlotte has a dog of her own, a rescue Samoyed named Kiba. Kiba’s own rehabilitation process fuelled her passion for physiotherapy and patient centred care. Charlotte is a strong believer in age not being a disease and has a soft spot for her golden oldies.

Who is YPT Online Veterinary Physiotherapy for?

Many of the pooches that attend clinic can sometimes struggle to allow new people into their trusted circle. Yaz is very honoured to be part of this circle, but alas Canine Massage is just one component of the team. Multimodal management and collaborating with other Veterinary professionals is a great way to make the most of a Pain Management plan. Charlotte, registered Veterinary Physiotherapist and joining the YPT team is a way to expand this team of professionals, without having to leave the comfort of your home!

This service is exclusive to YPT in-clinic customers , Yaz and Charlotte will collaborate on individual cases combining knowledge to create a bespoke plan for your pooch. Your dog must have been seen within the last 6 months in clinic to be eligible for this service.

Which service do I pick?

Initial Assessment - £75

Charlotte will deep dive your dogs current Pain Management plan and identify areas of focus. Your dog’s bespoke Remedial Exercise Plan will be emailed to you with 7WD, containing specific exercises, and guidance for the next 4 weeks.

Follow up Session - £55

Charlotte will review how you have progressed through your 4 Remedial Exercise Plan. You will then receive an updated Remedial Exercise Plan for your next 6 weeks.

What to expect from your YPT Online Veterinary Physiotherapy session

Appointments are held over Google Meet video call, you will receive a link for this 1WD prior to you scheduled appointment.

YPT Online Veterinary Physiotherapy Checklist

- Drop Charlotte an email at charlotte@yorkshirepooches.co.uk to arrange a suitable time and date for your session

That’s it! Once we have the paperwork Yaz and Charlotte will sort the rest!

Guide to Feeding Tinned Fish

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 10:47:05 GMT

PICKING THE BEST FOR YOUR DOG

Fish is well known for its health properties, and it is full of wonderful Omega fatty acids that can support an abundance of different body systems. These Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) can be further divided into Omega-3 and Omega-6.

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS

This group of PUFA are best known for their role in reducing inflammation from chronic diseases such as arthritis. Other benefits range from heart, brain and skin health.

OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS

This group of PUFA seriously get a bad rep, even though they are essential for overall health! They serve as an energy source for the body, stimulate growth and help support the immune system. However, excess consumption can lead to excess production of pro-inflammatory biochemicals.

TYPE OF FISH

Feeding whole fish will always be my ideal, but this sometimes isn’t achievable so tinned fish is a great option. You guessed it, I have an opinion on the type of tinned fish we can offer our dogs. We should be aiming for smaller fish, such as sardines or mackerel. The reason for this is that larger fish such as tuna and salmon have a higher rate of metal toxins.

WHICH PRESERVATIVE?

Preservatives are necessary for a perishable item, but which is the best health-wise?

OIL

Usually, the oil that is chosen is Sunflower Oil. Fat is fat soluble, meaning all the good Omega-3’s from the fish will drain into the Omega-6’s found in sunflower oil. Remember Omega-6 can lead to an increase of pro-inflammatory biochemicals, which kind of defeats the point of feeding fish for its anti-inflammatory properties.

BRINE

Essentially this is just salt water. Very effective at preserving and yes we need salt in our dog's diet. However, unless you are feeding an exclusively fresh food diet (such as raw) your dog will already be getting enough salt from their diet. For raw fed dogs who aren’t eating processed food (this includes treats and the odd tit bit) they can benefit from a pinch of salt, but my preference would be pink himalayan salt, not brine water. This tends to be the cheapest option so a good rinse to remove excess salt is a good shout.

SPRING WATER

This is exactly what it says on the tin, just water. This tends to be more expensive but we don’t have the worry of excess salt or fish sliding around in pro-inflammatory oil.

For me, spring water is the WINNER!

Keep it clean and simple. Adding ANY fish is better than no fish, but making these small changes in the type of tinned fish we are buying for our dogs can make a difference in the ongoing battle against management of inflammation.

Want to know my thoughts on fish oil and the latest research?

Check out my Online Training, To Supplement or Not To Supplement!

For readers keen to GET YA NERD ON, check out this research paper.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8308533/

Wellness Appointment

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 18:20:02 GMT

When it comes to Canine Wellness, things can easily become overwhelming!

HAVE QUESTIONS AND CONFLICTING ANSWERS?

- What is missing from our current pain management plan?
- I want to add in a therapeutic modality, but I'm not sure which will work best for my dog?

- What is the difference between 80.10.10 and complete?

- How can I supercharge my dog's food bowl?

- WHO CAN I ASK FOR HELP

ASK YAZ!

Yaz is a big believer in supporting pet parents, 'where they're at'.

If raw feeding isn’t for you, that is fine.
If acupuncture seems too much, that is fine.

If you can’t stomach tripe, that is also fine!

These sessions are about finding practical solutions to supporting your dog's wellness, whatever works best for you both!

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

- 30-minute phone call to discuss your dog's current nutrition and any required problem-solving.

- Within 10 working days, a report will land in your inbox with everything we discussed and a plan of recommendations.

WHAT DO CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY?

"I had a telephone appointment with Yaz regarding my 6 month golden retriever's dietary issues. I was spending a fortune on different supplements to try and sort out his digestive issues. Yaz looked at everything I'm feeding and is now writing a diet plan for my pooch. Yaz is incredibly knowledgeable and explains things in terms that make it so easy to understand. I cannot thank Yaz enough for her time and help. She is wonderful."

Nina & Gulliver

WELLNESS SESSION CHECKLIST

1. Complete a New Customer Form

This will give Yaz an overview of your dog and a chance to highlight what part of your dog's health you are looking to focus on. This could be pain management and nutrition combined, or one or the other.

2. Book your session

Using our online booking services , pick your appointment slot and you’re good to go.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Sometimes all you need is a nudge in the right direction, that bit of confidence to take the leap.
Each session is accepted on an individual basis, should your dog have pre-existing medical conditions a Wellness Session may not be the service for you. Should this be the case Yaz will email you to advise.

Please note that any advice given does not constitute or replace Veterinary Advice.

Is Pain as Sexy As Heelwork?

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:38:41 GMT

IS PAIN SEXY?

Take a scroll on social media, it won’t take you long to find a video of a dog doing competition heelwork, you know the type. Head arched up towards the handler, dancing forelimbs, snappy editing with inspiring audio playing over the top

“Never lose sight of who you are, show up every day”

I paraphrase, but you get the gist.

Now this is no hate to the people who make these videos, hats off to you. You clearly have dedicated a lot of time to your dog, crafting that positioning and is it a flex? Well yeah, it looks cool and it's nice to see that connection between dog and handler.

The same principle can be applied to gundogs retrieving over tricky terrain and flyball dogs thundering over hurdles. All of these dogs are at the top of their game, athletes if you will. Watching dogs compete is rewarding for handlers and spectators, but most of all the dogs love it!

WHY ISN'T PAIN SEXY?

Pain is emotive, the very word PAIN can cause upset, offence or straight-up denial.

Perhaps it’s because we don’t want to address potential issues, a scuff on that polished image of a winner?

Sometimes people aren’t ready to ask the questions, because they’re not going to like the answer.
It’s personal, people may feel it is a reflection of the care they provide their dog.

It could be a mix of all of the above, no matter where you sit know that if you want to get to grips with your dog's pain management my door is always open (during opening hours) but you get what I mean.

LET'S MAKE PAIN MANAGEMENT SEXY!

I’m on a mission, to make pain management sexy , well maybe not sexy but just get people interested in the topic.
Want to know the flexes I love the most,

- My dog can now get out of bed without being stiff

- My dog has started climbing on the sofa again

- The Vet is really happy with how my dog is progressing

- Pain medication has made a difference to my dog's behaviour

- The hydrotherapist said my dog worked really well today

If you’re a Canine Professional looking to level up your pain knowledge or a Pet Parent hungry for more information check out my online training courses, in particular

You Can’t Train Away Pain

Love Yaz, Lily, Rodney & Peggy x

Librela, Wonder Drug?

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 12:12:29 GMT

Have we found our silver bullet for OA pain?

If you’ve found this blog you will know by now that I’m a Canine Vet Rehabber. I want to bring together my experience with this drug, what the research is telling us and what leading experts in Veterinary Rehabilitation have to say. My opinion is just that, an opinion. I’m not here to tell you what to do, just share my thoughts on this drug to help Pet Parents make informed decisions when it comes to OA pain management.

One of the most hotly debated topics in Veterinary Rehabilitation, is Librela THE answer to our pain management prayers?
Is it too good to be true or do I need to stop being so cynical?

What is Librela?

Librela is a medicine designed to alleviate the pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs. This solution is injected under the skin, and dosage is dependent on your dog's weight. This injection is usually administered once a month on a recurring basis.

How does it work?

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a naturally occurring protein that is involved in many biological activities in the body from pain signalling to regulation of growth. Librela’s active ingredient, Bedinvetmab, is designed to bind with canine NGF and prevent communication with its receptors. In Librela’s case the aim is to interrupt pain signals, relieving the dog's sensation of pain.

What are the benefits?

- EFFECTIVE at relieving pain!

- Vet’s don’t have to worry about treatment compliance because they are the only ones who can administer this medication.

- Monthly treatments, also mean monthly checkups with your Vet on treatment progress.

- Results anecdotally seen quickly, research says around a month.

What are the risks?

Side effects are a risk with everything we do in life, and it can be difficult to pinpoint if particular symptoms can be attributed to Librela. Usually, the demographic for dogs who are a candidate for this treatment will also have other pathologies as well as OA. Some of the side effects that have been reported,

- Rapidly progressive osteoarthritis

- Systematic disorders: lack of efficacy, polydipsia, death, lethargy, anorexia

- Renal and urinary tract disorders: polyuria, urinary incontinence

- Digestive tract disorders: diarrhoea, vomiting

- Neurological disorders: ataxia, seizures

Another side effect that I have seen and heard of is itching. I am yet to find any official reports of this. If your dog is on Librela or indeed any drug, any negatives should be reported to your Vet in order for them to relay this back to the manufacturer.

My thoughts

Librela came to the UK market in 2020 and in the USA 2023, so we are yet to understand the long-term effects of this drug. What we do have are current side effects, well the ones that have been reported. This in no way detracts from those who have suffered a devastating loss following Librela treatment, if this happened to my dog I too would be shouting from the rooftops. We need to keep listening to ALL experiences, the good and the bad.

Although my listed benefits are significantly shorter than the risks involved, please don’t let this distract away from how amazing Librela is for incredibly painful dogs. Relieving a dog from osteoarthritic pain is phenomenal and it can be life-changing for certain pain management cases.

What does a leading Holistic Vet have to say?

Well you can blame Dr Edward Bassingthwaighte for kick starting my obsession with silent pain. He has a fabulous free lecture on this topic, which I would thoroughly recommend. In his write up on Librela he says,

Stage four for me is when we throw the kitchen sink at the dog because we are only focused on quality of life, and keeping him going in as much comfort as possible for as long as possible. I’d include opiate drugs and Librela in this stage. I might also consider Librela in late stage 3 if all other options have been exhausted." (Bassingthwaighte, 2023)

What does the ‘Godfather of Vet Rehab’ have to say?

Any rehabber will know the legend Darryl Millis, I had the opportunity to speak to him but chickened out!
Side note, ask for the selfie next time!

Anyway, he concludes in his lengthy write-up on Librela,

“My concerns are that other available treatments may be more effective, treatment of early osteoarthritis may result in reduction of joint position awareness, potentially increasing the progression of osteoarthritis, and there is the possibility of neurologic side effects.” (Millis, 2023)

Is there a human equivalent to Librela?

Nope, there isn't.
NOAH, is a public access website containing current data sheets for licensed Veterinary medicine. They state,

"In clinical trials in humans, rapidly progressive osteoarthritis has been reported in patients receiving humanised anti-NGF monoclonal antibody therapy. The incidence of these events increased with high doses and in those human patients that received long-term (more than 90 days) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) concomitantly with an anti-NGF monoclonal antibody.

Dogs have no reported equivalent of human rapidly progressive osteoarthritis." (NOAH, 2024)

We are the same on a cellular level, a lot of human medicine crosses over into Vet medicine. Not the 'joint trashing' though... I mean I don't want to get my tin foil hat out on this one, but I have one for you too if you would like to borrow it.

Mike drop

Well what I have been thinking for YEARS has now come into fruition with the latest research from Dr Mike Farrell and a panel of experts. Musculoskeletal adverse events in dogs receiving bedinvetmab (Librela), Farrell, M et al. 2025

This paper reviewed 19 case studies with a variety of adverse events seen, one of these you can see in the image below which I don’t think needs any further explanation. This paper is a call to action, report ANY suspected side effects. Did you know it’s not just your Vet that can report to VMD but pet parents and professionals! RPOA is horrific but the scary thing is we don’t FULLY understand the mechanism of why this is occurring, or the plethora of neurological events.

Not only this but the panel performed a Pharmacovigilance analysis. This involves reviewing how data is collected and assessed when it comes to reporting adverse events. The creators of Librela (Zoetis) have been downgrading adverse events reported by Vets.

This can be likened to a report of a bone cancer being listed as a stubbed toe, (I made this up for illustrative purposes)

Conclusion

In conclusion, does Librela have its place in a pain management plan?

For me, it absolutely does… in certain circumstances. Librela IS effective at relieving pain, but at

what cost? This drug is so over-prescribed for EVERYTHING when (IMO) it should be used in end stage OA with no neuro conditions.

- All other pain medication options have been explored and suitable ones trialled. Librela shouldn’t be (IMO) the first port of call when starting a pain management journey. If and when the efficacy dips, what else do we have to fall back on?

- Things that a Pet Parent can manage such as weight control, lifestyle changes and exercise should all be fine-tuned before considering

It is far too easy to make bold sweeping statements of I will NEVER use Librela, I think in fairness we need to consider what this drug is

actually doing on the front line of veterinary medicine. I’ve seen dogs have the last 6 months of their life changed for the better with

Librela, something we never could have achieved even with the cocktail of pain medications, physical therapy, nutrition, supplements and lifestyle management. When we’re considering quality of life, surely we want whatever time we have left for them to be comfortable? However for younger dogs, Librela as a first choice drugs for me is unforgivable.

Making an INFORMED DECISION is the most important factor, knowing the RISKS and BENEFITS

I would have to be REALLY pushed to use this with my own dogs last-chance saloon sort of scenario with end-stage OA. Anything that is referred to as a ‘wonder drug’ proceed with caution.

This opinion may change, given time for more research… I doubt it, but never say never.

Love Yaz, Lily, Rodney & Peggy

Resources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326241/

https://www.mylamedog.com/post/what-about-librela-anti-nerve-growth-factor-antibody-treatment
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/librela-berensa-wonder-drug-or-disaster-in-the-making/
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1581490/full

The Blue Paw Award- Review

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 18:04:09 GMT

An Honest CPD Review

If you’re anything like me, you’re a canine therapist HUNGRY for knowledge! Always on the hunt for the latest CPD, striving to be the best for our canine companions. I’m a Yorkshire lass, (don’t know if you can tell) I like my tea strong and value for money!

So let's take a look at my latest CPD, The Blue Paw Award.

Who are VOA?

VOA, the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance. On their website, they state that,

"The primary effor t and purpose of the Veterinary Osteoarthritis Alliance (VOA) is the creation of a platform to advance the management of osteoarthritis by developing theoretical and practical training opportunities, by providing access to the latest research, evidence and technologies and by the facilitation of a multi-professional collaboration to address and improve the results of disease management."

This mission is so important to me as a Canine Paraprofessional, we all need to work together more efficiently and this is one of the first steps towards this.

What is The Blue Paw Award?

This award is given to those who have completed the VOA Blue Paw Award course, demonstrating that,

“Members who have received the Blue Paw Award should wear their badges with pride, as they now have the sufficient knowledge to improve OA care in their veterinary practice.”

Although I don’t have a veterinary practice, this course is open to Canine Paraprofessionals.

What is the course content?

The course is split into 8 modules,

Section 1: Aetiology, Pathophysiology

Section 2: Diagnostics

Section 3: Pathophysiology of Pain, Pain Management, Future Therapies

Section 4: Intra-Articular Injections

Section 5: Nutrition & Weight Management, Nutraceuticals

Section 6: Complementary Therapies

Section 7: Surgery

Section 8: Monitoring

Each module has further sections, lots of reading and video demonstrations to watch.

How are you assessed?

The assessment takes place via the online portal, a multiple-choice quiz of 45 questions from the course content. You can only access this once you have completed all your previous modules.

What is the investment?

The investment amount for this course is £50 for individuals via an annual membership.
For practice memberships for up to 5 members, the investment is £250 annually.

Was the CPD value for money?

100%, I would have happily paid much more for this CPD!

What were my favourite parts?

It was great to refresh and deepen my understanding of the pathophysiology of OA and Pain. I enjoyed the section on X-ray interpretation, although I’m not a Vet I do see a lot of X-rays and this knowledge can help explain a diagnosis to a Pet Parent. The thorough breakdown of different pharmaceuticals was very insightful, not that I do any prescribing but can help with Pet Parents' understanding of why their dog has been prescribed a particular drug.

Throughout this course there are plenty of research references, these not only support the content but are a valuable resource for further learning.

Where could there be improvements?

At the end of this course, there is space for you to submit feedback, as I imagine this course will continue to evolve its content.

- One section contains video footage of a cadaver dog. Although their face is covered, for those of the industry who aren't accustomed to seeing this a little note to say ‘This next module contains a cadaver’ would have just made it a touch more user-friendly.

- It would be nice to contain a section on the emotional aspect of OA management, for both the dog and caregiver. Plus a video on how to get the most out of an OA exam through cooperative care. Again this could just be me but another component I feel is important in OA management.

- The nutrition section could be more thorough, although it was nice for the content to remain impartial to food type and discuss on a calorie basis. We all know how political it can get talking about feeding dogs! Maybe this is just me but I’m obsessed with the relationship between the microbiome, nutrition and pain. I did mention this in my feedback.

These three points are only small personal drawbacks, but the actual content of this course outweighs these points.

Where can I sign up?

All of this information can be found on the VOA Website .

All in all, I enjoyed how thorough this course was, the layout and learning platform is super user-friendly and you get to study at your own pace. This is just module 1 and I’m hoping this is followed up with module 2!

An absolute must for anyone working in Vet Rehab.

References

- https://vet-oa.com/blue-paw/

Proud Bookworm

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 18:15:04 GMT

Self confessed book worm and nerd here!

I have an extensive book collection on a huge range of subjects, but of course mainly all about dogs. It’s not uncommon for my in clinic customers to be sent home with a book to read!

Here are some of my favourites, keep checking back regularly as I will keep updating this list!

Anatomy & Behaviour

- The Wild Canids: Their Systematics, Behavioural Ecology and Evolution. Michael W Fox

- Dog Anatomy: A Pictorial Approach to Canine Structure. Peter Goody

- The Dog Anatomy Workbook: A Guide to the Canine Body A Gardiner & M Raynor

- Dog Anatomy: A Coloring Atlas. Robert Kainer and Thomas McCracken

- Dogs in Motion. Professor Martin Fischer
- The Book Your Dog Wishes You Would Read. Louise Glazebrook

- The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Bessel Van Der Kolk

Nutrition & Herbal Health

- Food Pets Die For, Shocking Facts about Pet Food. Ann Martin

- Honey’s Natural Feeding Handbook for Dogs. Jonathan Self

- Feeding Dogs: The Science Behind the Dry Versus Raw Debate. Dr Conor Brady

- Raw Meaty Bones: Promote Health. Dr Tom Lonsdale

- Multi-Billion-Dollar Pet Food Fraud: Hiding in Plain Sight. Dr Tom Lonsdale

- Yin & Yang Nutrition for Dogs: Maximizing Health with Whole Foods, Not Drugs. Dr Judy Morgan
- Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance Your Pet's Life. M Wulff & G Tilford
- Animal Self-Medication: How Animals Heal Themselves. Caroline Ingraham

Canine Health

- The Complete Book of Cat and Dog Health. Lise Hansen

- The Forever Dog. Rodney Habib and Karen Becker

- Your Dog’s Pain Diary, A Blueprint For Monitoring a Pain Trial. Yaz Porritt

Swimmers Tail, a real pain in the rear!

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 20:27:16 GMT

A Real Pain In The Rear!

Technically known as Acute Caudal Myopathy, this condition goes by many names…

- Swimmers Tail

- Limber Tail

- Frozen Tail

All mean the same thing, a funky looking tail!

What is Swimmers Tail?

Swimmers tails can be characterised by the sudden onset of a limp and painful tail. This can occur at the very base or further along the length of the tail. It can prevent your dog from holding their tail carriage high, sitting and or wagging comfortably. There are some schools of thought that believe a sudden onset of blood vessel constriction caused by cold water. This may be the case but doesn’t totally explain all of the instances Swimmers Tail that can occur.

What causes Swimmers Tail?

There are no straightforward answers to what can cause a flare up but here are some scenarios that I have come across which may cause an episode of Swimmers Tail.

- Walking in heavy rain with no coat

- Swimming in cold water

- Swimming for too long

- Washing in cold water

- Wagging their tail too much

- Excess time in a crate

- Excessive exercise in an unfit dog

What breeds are prone to Swimmers Tail?

We don’t yet understand exactly why certain breeds are more commonly affected by Swimmers Tail, but it is more commonly seen in hunting breeds such as,

- Beagles

- Spaniels

- Labradors

- Pointers

- Vizlas

Is Swimmers Tail painful?

YES. We don’t get to decide what isn’t painful for our dogs, and I can assure you this hurts! One study found that when examining Pointers affected with Swimmers Tail, there was ‘histopathologic evidence of muscle fibre damage.’ (Steiss et al. 1999) This means that under a microscope tissue damage was identified. We can’t forget what our dogs will do to please us, especially our driven working breeds. Dogs will push through something that is causing pain, in order to fulfil a command and or their own drive.

How do you treat Swimmers Tail?

First stop is a trip to the Vets, just double check it is in fact swimmers tail. A limp tail can also be linked to lower back pain or anal gland issues. Vets are the only ones that can diagnose and provide the necessary medication to help manage the pain and inflammation. For at home management a couple weeks rest is key! This could look like

- On lead exercise only

- No excessive play or excitement

- Photizo around the affected area

- Lavender wheat bag on the affected area (Check temperature on the inside of your wrist)

Sometimes there can be lasting damage left to the tail, where the majority of function returns but we never return to full tail carriage. I have one dog who I see in clinic who is prone to Swimmers Tail and his tail movement when touched always reminds me of cat tail!

Can my dog get Swimmers Tail again?

Sadly once your dog has had an episode of Swimmers Tail they are very prone to repeat episodes. You can help prevent flare ups by,

- Warming up before vigorous exercise

- Avoiding walking in the rain or popping a coat on your dog

- Avoid swimming in cold water
- Fully drying your dog if they get wet

- Regular soft tissue massage to encourage plenty of blood flow to the area

Reference

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10587253/

Your Dog's Pain Diary

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 21:43:20 GMT

A Blueprint For Monitoring A Pain Trial

Months in the making, well years in fact when I look back to when I first became totally obsessed with pain management!

95% of the dogs I work with come to see me for pain management reasons, so I wanted to make something that can become part of the team. Being diagnosed with a chronic condition doesn't mean your dog's life has to come to a standstill, there is SO much we can be doing to support them.

What does a chronic condition mean?

This can be broadly defined as a condition that requires ongoing treatment and management. Specifically this can be attributed to conditions in our dogs such as,

- Hip Dysplasia

- Elbow Dysplasia

- Luxating Patella

- Cruciate Disease

- Osteoarthritis

- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

When managing a chronic condition, we are managing chronic pain. Even when your dog has corrective surgery, this is just the beginning of a new journey and will still need management long term to protect the results of the surgery.

How can Your Dog’s Pain Diary help?

When I wrote this book I thought of common situations where I have asked Pet Parents to keep a log of what was going on with their dog.

- A recent diagnosis

- Post operative recovery

- Starting a new therapeutic intervention

- Starting a new pain medication

- Following a change in pain medication dosage

Each of these instances and many more can impact a pain management plan. I have structured this book to help create a blueprint that you can keep referring back to as a point of reference.

What does Your Dog’s Pain Diary include?

- How to make the most of your Vet appointments

- Basic anatomy and Veterinary terminology

- Types of pain

- Building a team around your dog

- 6 week diary

And much more! Peppered with extra things to help you along the way, plus a whole heap of Pet Parent empowerment. I’m a big believer that the more pain knowledge we can absorb, we can then make informed decisions about our dogs pain management.

If you’re ready to,

BE YOUR DOG’S CHAMPION

This book is for you! Don't forget my free eBook Ooh That's The Spot which also has lots of information to support you and your dog.

Canine Hip Dysplasia

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 21:12:05 GMT

Canine Hip Dysplasia

WHAT IS CANINE HIP DYSPLASIA?

Canine Hip Dysplasia can be recognised as an umbrella term, where there is disruption in the ball and socket joint that attaches the hind limbs to the pelvis. It is one of the most common orthopaedic conditions that our dogs suffer from. Treatment options vary from lifelong conservative management to surgical intervention and post-operative care. Depending on the severity of the hip dysplasia and how well pain is managed will determine what type of treatment plan will be best for your dog.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF CANINE HIP DYSPLASIA?

Diagnosis can only be obtained through your Veterinary Surgeon, who will use a multimodal assessment to evaluate the health of your dog’s hips. Along with palpation, and diagnostic imaging, there are certain signs that you may spot.

- Exaggerated sway in the hips when walking

- Stiffness after exercise or first thing in a morning

- Struggling to stand from a sit and or down position

- ‘Bunny Hop’ gait when running

- Reluctance to exercise

This list isn’t exhaustive but gives you a starting point for things to look out for with your dog.

BREEDS PRONE TO CANINE HIP DYSPLASIA

Hip dysplasia is a genetic condition, meaning some breeds are more prone than others. According to the UK Kennel Club, the breeds most affected are

- Bernese Mountain Dog

- German Shepard

- Golden Retriever

- Labrador Retriever

- Newfoundland

- Rottweiler

Hip dysplasia can occur in any dog, anecdotally I have seen this frequently in French Bulldogs and Spaniels. Depending on how many Kennel Club breeders are health screening their dams and studs, will influence the statistics the Kennel Club can provide.

MANAGING CANINE HIP DYSPLASIA

Building a team of people around your dog is key to managing any orthopaedic condition, I discuss this further in my teamwork blog . With this team, our collective goal is to manage pain effectively and maintain a good quality of life. I’m biased so Massage is a given but in addition to this my top 3 interventions,

- Hydrotherapy

- Chiropractor

- Physiotherapist

Remember when choosing your Therapist that we should be booking with suitably qualified professionals, I explain this further in my Value of Paper blog. Other factors to consider would be nutrition, weight management and analgesics prescribed by your Vet.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

This blog is just a quick run-through of things to consider if your dog has or is in the process of being diagnosed with Canine Hip Dysplasia. If you’re looking to take a deeper dive into understanding Canine Hip Dysplasia, from anatomy, to understanding BVA scoring and research around influential factors, check out my online training Your Dogs Hips Don’t Lie .

STARTING YOUR PAIN MANAGEMENT JOURNEY?

If your dog has recently been diagnosed with Canine Hip Dysplasia, along with diagnostics you may also consider a pain trial. Pain trials involve tracking your dog's progress on a particular prescribed medication, but how can we monitor this objectively? This is why I created my book,

YOUR DOG'S PAIN DIARY, A BLUEPRINT FOR MONITORING A PAIN TRIAL

Packed to the brim with information, with a sprinkle of anatomy, a dash of goal setting and a whole heap of Pet Parent empowerment

*Please note this link will take you to my sister company website Instinctive Animal Wellness*

Love Yaz, Li ly, Rodney & Peggy x

Picture Reference- Ronnie's mum has kindly allowed me to use his X-rays for educational purposes.
Website Reference- The UK Kennel Club information about hip dysplasia.

Online MOT Appointment

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 16:57:40 GMT

Everything you need to know about an Online MOT

This service is the whole kit and kaboodle, looking at EVERYTHING to do with your dog. Taking lots of separate pieces of the puzzle to understand the whole picture is key to getting the most out of this service. Here are some of the topics we will cover,

MEDICAL HISTORY

Combined with your New Customer Form, obtaining your dog's medical history from your Vet is a useful component of this service. This allows me to review reasons for Vet visits, and find recurring issues along with surgical history.

CURRENT TREATMENT

What therapies has your dog had? We will delve into what has worked for your dog and help you find a local qualified therapist such as a hydrotherapist, physiotherapist etc. We will also discuss current analgesics and how to successfully monitor a pain trial. (Note only your Vet can adjust dosages and prescribe medication)

GAIT ANALYSIS

Reviewing submitted footage I will asses your dog's posture, gait and biomechanics. This is a key component of understanding how your dog is managing their current pain levels.

EMOTIONAL

This is a huge influencing factor in how your dog can experience pain. What happened in your dog's early years, and how does their breed impact how they present pain? What are the household dynamics, and how are these influencing overall stress levels?

NUTRITION

Having trained extensively in Canine Nutrition and TCM Food Energetics, your dog's diet is one of the cornerstones of joint health. We will discuss the current diet, dietary restrictions and overall gut health to find obtainable goals, whether that be raw, cooked or simply adding in some fresh. I’m super picky when it comes to supplements, I want to make sure you’re getting enough bang for your buck. This includes helping you understand the components of supplements that will work best for your dog.

LIFESTYLE

I’m super nosey but with good reason! What is the flooring in your house? What is your dog's quality of sleep like? What does their exercise look like, are we walking for miles or barely making it down the street?

PAIN

I’m a big believer in knowledge is power and I love to empower Pet Parents. We will go through the mechanics of pain, types of pain and how to recognise potential pain in your dog.

I will then take all of this information and compile your report, the blueprint for your dog's treatment plan. This service works best for dogs that already have a diagnosis and are looking to fine-tune your current pain management plan.

Checklist for your Online MOT

- New Customer Form

- Medical History

- Gait Analysis Footage

How do I submit Gait Analysis footage?

There are two options depending on how tech-savvy you are.

1- Create a folder on Google Drive to pop all your footage in and share it with yorkshire.pooches@gmail.com

2- Send your footage over via WhatsApp, 07988634199

Please state your name and your dog's name when submitting footage.

What footage do I need to submit?

This is the most important bit, and I’m fussy but with good reason I promise! Footage needs to be filmed on a surface with traction, try to avoid laminate or tiled floors as sliding paws can throw me off. If your dog refuses to do any of the required footage, film the refusal but don’t force your dog to do anything.

- Walking & trotting left to right

- Walking & trotting right to left

- Walking towards the camera

- Walking away from the camera

- Sit to stand/ down (side on footage both left & right)

- Stand to sit / down (side on footage both left & right)

- Down to sit/ stand (side on footage both left & right)

Filming in landscape is preferable. Check out Yorkshire Pooches Therapies Gait Analysis Library for some examples of what I’m looking for.

Ready to level up your dog's treatment plan? Book in here , please allow 14WD preparation time for this appointment type. The video link for your appointment will be sent on the morning of your chosen date.

Any questions, just give me a shout!

Love Yaz, Lily, Rodney & Peggy x

Online Gait Analysis

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 14:41:20 GMT

Everything you need to know about an Online Gait Analysis

Online services are something that continues to grow in popularity at Yorkshire Pooches Therapies. I have been lucky enough to work with pet parents across the globe, the most popular service is our Online Gait Analysis.

What is an Online Gait Analysis?

This involves me reviewing submitted footage to assess gait patterns, posture and biomechanics.

Who is an Online Gait Analysis for?

For many dogs who struggle with reactivity and hyperarousal, a trip out to Yorkshire Pooches Therapies or the Vets may prove too much for them. Plus it can be difficult to observe a true reflection of how a dog is moving if they’re stressed or distracted. An Online Gait Analysis Report can be used to start conversations with your Vet about areas of concern.

In the UK we can take for granted the amount of animal therapists that we have at our disposal, sadly this isn’t the case in other countries. An Online Gait Analysis Report is a way to have input from overseas, again to facilitate conversations with your dog's Vet.

How do I submit footage?

When you purchase your gait analysis there is the option for you to upload your video footage.
Videos must be under 100 MB, this can be achieved by ensuring clips are under 30 seconds in length.
Multiple videos can be uploaded, should you need to send extra footage this can be sent via WhatsApp to 07988634199, stating both your name and your dog.

What footage do I need to submit?

- Walking & trotting left to right

- Walking & trotting right to left

- Walking towards the camera

- Walking away from the camera

- Sit to stand/ down (side on footage both left & right)

- Stand to sit / down (side on footage both left & right)

- Down to sit/ stand (side on footage both left & right)

Filming in landscape is preferable. Check out Yorkshire Pooches Therapies Gait Analysis Library for some examples of what I’m looking for.

Which service do I pick?

To make sure there is something for everyone I have created a buffet of online services. Depending if you have time restrictions (upcoming Vet appointment) will determine if you need a standard service or an express service.

Standard Online Gait Analysis- £85

- 14WD turnaround

- Written report includes general overview and recommendations

- Guide to Understanding Your Dogs Online Gait Analysis

Express Online Gait Analysis- £150

- 4WD turnaround

- Written report includes general overview and recommendations

- Guide to Understanding Your Dogs Online Gait Analysis

Online Gait Analysis Checklist

- Complete a New Customer Form

- Submit your footage when purchasing and if necessary additional clips via WhatsApp at 07988634199.

Once all of this is done I can get cracking and your report will land in your email inbox.

Any questions, just give me a shout!

Love Yaz, Lily, Rodney & Peggy x

Booking your dog into Yorkshire Pooches Therapies Clinic

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 12:39:35 GMT

Booking your dog into Yorkshire Pooches Therapies Clinic

So you want to bring your dog for regular treatment at Yorkshire Pooches Therapies, we can't wait to see you!
Before we get started there are a couple of bits of paperwork you need to complete.

- New Customer Form , this is for you to complete and tell me all about your dog.
- V et Consent Form , this is for your Vet to complete, in line with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

Once I have all of this paperwork completed you can go ahead and book in for your initial session! Through our online booking system, you can choose a date and time that best suits you with instant appointment confirmation. Payment won't leave your account until the day of your appointment.

Book your Initial Assessment here

This initial assessment is a little longer than usual appointments, to allow your dog the opportunity to have a good sniff around clinic whilst we discuss medical history, goals of treatment etc. This includes in-person gait analysis, LED therapy and hands-on work if the dog allows. A good way to prepare for this first session is to bring plenty of small treats to build up that positive association and provide some distraction around palpation. Yorkshire Pooches Therapies provides consent-based treatment, which helps build trust between myself and the dog. These first sessions tend to go nice and slowly to allow dogs time to settle in. If your dog is too stressed to be palpated I will start with desensitising tasks for you to practice with your dog to build up confidence around handling. Every dog is an individual, sometimes in an initial session we get quite a bit done, and others need a couple of sessions before fully relaxing into it.

Upon completion of this initial assessment, you can book in for regular massage sessions. The frequency of sessions varies from dog to dog, but this is something we can discuss as part of a treatment plan. For a dog to stay on Yorkshire Pooches Therapies books I will need to see them a minimum of once every 6 months. If your sessions fall outside of this time frame you will have to obtain Vet Consent again.

Any questions give me a shout,
Love Yaz, Lily, Rodney & Peggy x

Time to ditch the flinger

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 13:20:20 GMT

Time to ditch the flinger

Why is it important?

With 80% of dogs over the age of 8 and 20% of dogs older than a year suffering with arthritis, we need to rethink the way in which we exercise our dogs. (Anderson, K et al. 2018) There will be other factors that play into this such as weight, nutrition, breed disposition, unrelated injuries. Changing the way in which we exercise our dogs is one of the cheapest ways to help manage osteoarthritis pain. It’s not a case that it is one problem joint, the effects are cascaded across the body's musculoskeletal system.

Surely we want a dog to be tired after a walk?

There is a common misconception that in order for a dog walk to be good that your dog has to be exercised past the point of exhaustion, this simply isn’t the case. When we arrive at the park and our dog jumps out of the car and has ten reps of ball chasing whilst you sip your coffee, you’re not tiring your dog out, you’re making a badly conditioned athlete. Over time the same repetitive strain on the same areas of the body can progress joint degeneration and cause soft tissue injuries.

What are our other options though?

- Training and scent work are a great way to engage your dog's brain, you will be surprised how tired your dog will be after doing some basic impulse control and sniffing.

- If your dog loves to play with a ball you can use it to play hide and seek where your dog has to sniff it out of long grass, drop the ball and encourage your dog to walk away and then send them back for it. Having the ball stationary helps to minimise risk, too often I see dogs flying through the air trying to catch a ball mid flight. I have seen dogs do a backflip, get up without pause and run back to the owner to do it again. We as pet guardians have to step in and say enough now lets just have a minute and catch our breath, the same way we would with a child who is running around after eating… we know the inevitable may be coming so we mitigate the risk. Lets do the same for our dogs!

- If you’re not quite ready to bin your flinger, make sure you are using it on soft ground such as grass (not when wet to avoid slipping), use in moderation and give your dog at least 10 minutes brisk on lead walking before and after you start to give the body a chance to warm up and cool down.

- Be present with your dog, go on adventures and make memories. You don’t have to exhaust your dog, after all we have our dogs as we enjoy their company and this goes for out of the house too. Take time to really look at them moving, how they hold themselves and how they behave. All these little things can give you clues as to how your dog is feeling, especially when it comes to pain management.

- Dog walking shouldn’t be a chore and its an easy trap to fall into. You do the same 30 minute walk twice a day around the block, your dog starts to slow down and there can be a tendency to rush your dog along. Instead of this change up your route and be mindful of your dogs pace, too often I see dogs trailing behind their owners as they struggle to keep up.

Other than a limp or a yelp our dogs can’t tell us they’re in pain, they will chase the ball even if something hurts. (Sprouse-Blum, A et al. 2010) Our dogs don’t understand that what they did on Monday causes pain on a Tuesday, they just learn to cope.

BE YOUR DOGS CHAMPION

You are the only one that can change up your dog's exercise regime to keep those joints happy and healthy for longer. As a previous ball flinger user, putting it in the bin was the best thing I did, when we know better we can do better.

Studies referenced in the video,
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5884849 /
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3104618/#R7

Welcome to the Raw Club

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 12:17:23 GMT

Welcome to the Raw Club

Before I start a little disclaimer, I am not a canine nutritionist

DUN DUN DUNNNNN

The guidance I give is purely from my own research and experience. If your dog has any health concerns please consult with a Holistic Vet with a special interest in nutrition.

So you want to feed raw, you’ve done your research agonised over your decision and come to the conclusion that your dog needs fresh food… hello and welcome to the club!

Now what?! There’s ratios, fruit, veg, germs, BONES.

AHH DON’T PANIC!

There are lots of fun fussy bits you can add to your dog’s bowl but first let’s get to grips with the basics.

For a dog of good condition 2% – 3% of body weight is how much food they should have. (I don’t count fruit and veg in this amount). Depending on how active your dog is these amounts can be altered, you know your dog best but this is the guideline I work off.

Dog weighs 20kg – 20,000g / 100 = 200g
200 x 2 = 400g is your 2% body weight
200 x 3 = 600g is your 3% body weight

How easy is that!
This is a total daily amount so if fed twice a day now, split this total into two portions.

Proteins eh?

It’s just a word for all your different meats, chicken, lamb, fish… even kangaroo how exciting!

What is a complete mince?
Complete minces are balanced to FEDIAF standards to include every vitamin, mineral and amino acid that your dog may need. These minces tend to include a blend of vegetables, fruit and or herbs to achieve this standard. Even those these are designed to be fed every day I would always encourage where possible to continue on a rotation of proteins.

What is a 80-10-10 mince?
80-10-10 is a ‘traditional’ model of raw dog food, these numbers can vary depending on brand and that’s ok. The numbers refer to the ratio of meat, offal and bone.

80% meat- Muscle, such as chicken breast.
10% offal- Secreting organs, such as chicken liver and or kidney.
10% bone- Bone, such as chicken carcass.

When raw feeding we are mimicking an ancestral diet, as nature intended. Luckily raw food companies do all the hard work for us! Each protein will have different minerals, trace minerals etc. By rotating through 5-7 proteins every couple days over two weeks we have created a diet with everything your dog needs in a fresh healthy form!

When transitioning it’s much easier on the body to start off with your lighter meats. For me it’s important to initially stick to your minces when you’re transitioning, minimal fussy bits yet, so IF a bad tummy does appear we can narrow it down what caused it if it was a particular protein. I also like to stick to the same brand, each brand will have slightly different textures and formulations so just keep it simple!

A ROUGH guide I give when moving through the proteins from light to dark.

Week 1- Turkey/ Chicken
Week 2- Pork
Week 3- Beef & Tripe
Week 4- Beef & Oily Fish
Week 5- Lamb & Tripe
Week 6- Duck

When your dog is transitioning there are amazing changes that happen in the body, with this change for better comes a detox phase. This will start cleaning the body when moving from ultra processed food to fresh goodness.

So firstly kibble makes the stomach alkaline instead of acidic (which it is supposed to be), so as we transition our dogs their PH of stomach acid will change, how cool is that?

Hunger pukes- yellow foamy bile. This is normal your dog will be eating less volume of food as your dog uses everything in the bowl no nasty fillers! If this is the case, give your dog a scrambled egg (no milk) to line their stomach and when tea time comes fill out the meal with some boiled/steamed dark leafy greens. The stomach has to shrink and this can take a little time.

Loose poo- Again this isn’t a given that this will happen but just in case! Your dog will be going into a detox phase, detoxing the toxins and grains from kibble. It is unlikely but should you see any loose stools I would highly recommend Dorwest Tree Bark Powder to soothe the tummy.

With me so far? Brilliant, now let’s have a look at the different raw companies out there there is sooo many but one rule to stick with is

ONLY STICK WITH BRANDS WHO HAVE DEFRA NUMBERS

Now this one is a biggie, that little number means that the meat is responsibly resourced and these companies have stringent checks in place to ensure quality. Sadly cowboys have appeared and make their own raw to sell cheaper, this is very dangerous so please don’t be tempted! Leave it to the professionals, they know what they’re doing and also are on hand to give guidance too!

Here are some brands that I have used with my own dogs and I like.

Bella & Duke
Benyfit Natural (Check out the factory tour with Utter Tripe )
Betsy’s Raw Food
Burns Top Dog
Cotswolds
DAF
Different Dog
The Dogs Butcher
Dougies
Drool
Furry Feasts
Hug
Kiezebrink
Mersey Raw
Naked Dog
Natural Instinct
Naturaw
Natures Menu
Nutriment
Paleo Ridge
Poppy's Picnic
Reggies Raw
Utterly Rawsome

There are LOADS more that need a shout out and I’ve heard good things about but are yet to try them.

Some easy fussy bits add, there are sooo many you can pop in the bowl but again let’s keep it nice and simple for you and your dogs transition.

Raw egg & shell
Any veg except anything in onion family. Make sure to steam/ boil to break down cellular wall and increase digestibility
Banana, blueberries or raspberries. These in moderation though, due to the sugar content.
Rabbits ears with fur
Raw chicken necks, wings
Raw sprats/ smelt (from raw retailer or is fresh freeze for three weeks minimum to kill parasites off)

NEVER GIVE COOKED BONES

For the people in the back I’ll say it again

NEVER GIVE COOKED BONES

Well now I have that out of my system… there are just two more bits I like to recommend.

Dorwest tree bark powder , good to have on hand for upset tummy.
Bone Broth, great for upset tummies and also joint health. My favourites are Alexanders Natural s (Check out the factory tour with Utter Tripe ), Karnlea and Boil and Broth .

That’s it, that’s the start of your raw journey, wasn’t too bad was it! Once you have gone through your transition proteins you can keep cycling through them or go for something more adventurous.

Once you’ve got to grips with rotating your proteins, weighing out food and defrosting (I still forget sometimes) Then you may adventure into BARF feeding or working your way up to feeding lamb ribs for breakfast, different brands, textures and proteins.

Just remember it’s not a race, take it at your dogs pace and if in doubt ASK.

Any raw feeder will be SO excited that you’ve made the switch they will be more than happy to help.

If your hip hop and happening with an Instagram account check out some of our favourite people!

Pepper_loves_dogs (That's me)
Utter Tripe (That's me and my partner in crime Stef)
Primal Pooch
Long Living Pets
The Natural Pet Doctor

Love Yaz and the Pooches xx

Who Is Canine Massage for?

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 11:23:22 GMT

Who Is Canine Massage For?

The short answer is any dog. But that would be the most unhelpful blog post ever, so I’ll expand! When talking about Canine Massage, I like to roughly break it down into 3 sections,

PAIN MANAGEMENT
CANINE ATHLETES
RELAXATION

Today I will give you a whirlwind tour of PAIN MANAGEMENT.

Pain management, it’s a biggie and the most common one I see in my clinic. From rehab after surgery to the arthritic dog, there’s so many different variants but all have the same result, sadly a dog in pain.

Pain is a funny old thing and the ones I look at most closely are Chronic and Acute. Chronic is your long suffering engrained pain, which is associated with conditions such as arthritis. Chronic pain comes with its acute stages, which can present as onset of lameness.

Acute stages last typically 5-7 days and are slightly different in nature. These are easier to spot as usually accompanied by a yelp and or limp. That doesn’t mean to say that all dogs will do this but for the most parts those are the two more common signs of pain.

Something that I work tirelessly with is educating dog owners how to recognise pain. Dogs are designed to hide pain so please be under no illusion that despite your old dog still wanting to chase after a ball with his 9 year old arthritic hips, that they aren’t in pain.

You’re the dogs champion, their advocate! They can’t speak after all so we have to do it for them. When you get that ball out for Old Timmy (is that even a generic dog name?!) a rush of adrenaline surges through his body giving him super doggy strength to relive his youth with his favourite toy. However after exercise or the next day Old Timmy is unable to understand the correlation of the pain he now feels and the fun he had yesterday.

Ok so where does massage come into it?

When pain is present your dog will start to move their body differently, this is called compensatory tension. Imagine you had stubbed your toe, it’s not enough to warrant you not using the foot but you stand on your foot a little different to take the pressure off. Eventually after a few days you may notice that you get a bit of hip ache, maybe back ache too. You have asked your body to move in a different way in which it is used to so you have caused new tension.

The exact same happens to your dog. Its my job to find these areas of tension and use soft tissue manipulation techniques to release them (Trust me there is a lot more to it than that but for the purpose of a blog I’ll cover it more in-depth another time). Alongside this I give owners homework to be doing…

HOMEWORK AHHH DON’T PANIC!

It’s super easy lovely things you can be gently doing at home as part of your home care routine. There is a lot I can say about pain but my idea for this blog is to give people little snippets of information to be thinking about.

Love Yaz and The Pooches xxx

The Value of Paper

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 14:16:25 GMT

"The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper, and re-imagines the world."
Malcom Gladwell

We have to remember that the animal industry is unregulated so as pet guardians we have to dig that little deeper to ensure that the therapists we are entrusting with our dogs are suitably qualified.

My three golden rules when finding the right therapist for you are,

1- Check their qualification
2- Check their insurance
3- Are they part of a governing body?

Qualifications

When I received my qualification from Rose Holistic Therapies and Training , I couldn’t have been prouder. This single piece of paper summarised over a year's hard work, yes it detailed the modules and topics covered but what it doesn’t detail are the hours of research that meant I could complete my coursework to a high standard. When I qualified it wasn’t a case that my studying was over, far from that in fact I wanted to learn more! Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is vital to ensure that your skills are as up to date as possible, but also to continue expanding your knowledge. There are a lot of qualifications and CPD’s that are available nowadays and choosing who to study with can be a bit of a minefield. The things that I look for firstly is the qualification regulated? Regulatory bodies such as NCFE or OFQUAL ensure that the course content is valid, but also that the work being submitted is of the standard expected. By regulatory bodies remaining impartial they can effectively check that the grades being given are a true reflection of the work being produced. Secondary to this is the course quality, for example if it was a Canine Massage Course, how many practical hours are involved? With something being hands on and a core qualification this should really involve plenty of hands on work under the supervision of a tutor. Being online is a huge part of our society now and it definitely has its place. However some things really need to be in person, especially when it comes to practical application.

Insurance

The same way we insure our car, home and indeed our pets, people working with animals should also have relevant insurance. There are specialist insurance companies that work alongside a variety of animal related businesses. For example I am insured with Clivertons who provide cover for our canine massage and equipment, under the title Non-Invasive Therapies . This extends to professional indemnity, so not only covering the work I do but the advice that I give in a professional capacity. Now this is important for when therapists are liaising with your pets insurance companies as they may request this as part of a claim for complementary therapies.

Governing Bodies

For every therapy and branch within that discipline there will be a Governing body. Governing bodies are there as an impartial party to provide rules of best practice within your discipline. For example I am part of the Association of Merishia Therapists which is the branch of massage I trained with. I’m also part of the International Association of Animal Therapists, who cover a variety of different animal therapies. Things such as relevant insurance, qualifications and a certain amount of CPD hours must be completed before therapists can register under their authority. The reason this is relevant for pet guardians and veterinary professionals is that each governing body has already checked that your therapist's practice is up-to-date, qualified and holds relevant insurance. There are so many more governing bodies such as NARCH for Hydrotherapists, ACPAT for Physiotherapists, McTimoney Animal Association for Chiropractors and many more.

Working with therapists, who hold themselves to a high standard of professional conduct is of paramount importance. This ensures that the work they do is safe and of actual benefit to your dog. If you ever have any questions regarding a therapist's qualification, just ask! I am always more than happy to share this information if it helps pet guardians.

Team Work

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:27:14 GMT

Team work, makes the dream work.

Multimodal management is something that I am incredibly passionate about, but what does it actually mean? When working on a pain management plan for a dog it's important to understand your treatment options for your dog's particular condition. You need to build a team around your dog to ensure they are as happy and pain free as possible.

When coming to a session at Yorkshire Pooches Therapies, you have to fill out a fairly lengthy questionnaire and there is a reason for this, I’m not just being nosey! I work holistically, meaning I take into account many aspects of your dog's life from medical history, nutrition, behaviour and many more. This allows me to build a picture of what your dog's life looks like and how best we can implement change and treatment. This is where the multimodal management comes in, part of that picture allows me to identify what I can work with and indeed what is outside of my remit.

I am incredibly blessed to have a wonderful network of colleagues, which sounds odd to say given that I am self employed. Each professional has something different to bring to the table, to build a strong support system around your dog and their pain management plan.

- One therapist is good, two is amazing because we are able to review a pain management case from different angles to ensure we are doing the utmost in caring for your dog.

- A therapist and a trainer working together on a behaviour case, perhaps unmanaged pain could be presenting undesirable behaviour and until the pain is addressed training can’t progress.

- A therapist and a groomer working together to maintain good nail health and discuss strategies to keep dogs happy and comfortable on the table.

- A therapist and a nutritionist working together to manage gut health, which in turn will help manage inflammation across the body.

- A therapist and a raw shop owner, helping transition dogs onto a fresher diet for better health.

- A therapist and a vet working together, running tests and diagnosing conditions to ensure the treatment is right for the condition.

It's not just us dog professionals that form part of that team, its friends, family, anyone who interacts with your dog really! You as the owner can help guide people on how to support their dog, such as not letting them jump up or feeding sneaky treats if trying to manage weight.

There are so many different combinations of multimodal management, find what best suits you, your dog, their condition and your budget. After all team work, makes the dream work.

Your Dog, Your Athlete

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 11:26:10 GMT

What are your working goals for you and your dog?

Your Dog, your athlete

Where do I even begin with sporting dogs, with such variety comes various different strains on the body.

We have our working gun dogs, sitting steady ready to jump into action to pile drive through dense cover.

Then there are the agility dogs, combining speed and precision when turning, weaving and jumping through a complex course.

Not forgetting to mention canicross, obedience, IPO, flyball, conformation, hoopers, lure coursing and many more.

So what role does Canine Massage play in all of this?

First of all no matter what sport you and your dog partake in, it is so important (well for me anyway) that you see them for the working athlete they are. You wouldn’t expect premiership footballers to play if they were limping. Nore would we see an olympic sprinter not even warming up before a race. It's about taking these same principles, that we know are VITAL for maintaining a happy healthy sporting career and applying them to our dogs.

As owners we can’t take for granted just how hard our dogs will work to please us. They will do this through discomfort and injury. A phrase I like to use a lot is…

BE YOUR DOG'S CHAMPION

It's down to us humans to put measures in place to make a positive difference to our dogs musculoskeletal health. Whether this is ensuring your dog has a warm up and cool down as part of their working routine or seeing a Canine Massage Therapist. Not only are we looking to prevent injury but also we can use massage to condition for better performance.

Repetitive activities cause strain on the same areas. Using massage we can peel back layers of tension to build strong foundations upon. I would always recommend taking your sporting dog for a massage session, for maintenance and upcoming competition season. Well perhaps I’m a little biased but I think that all canine athletes should have a clear treatment plan in place to optimise strength and endurance.

At Yorkshire Pooches Therapies we work holistically, meaning that we look at your dog as a whole. Utilising knowledge of natural remedies and species appropriate nutrition combined with massage, to have a solid plan of action for you and your canine athlete to reach your goals.

So what is THE best joint supplement?

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 14:11:52 GMT

If I had £1 for every time I was asked this question!

I get it, people want to supercharge raw bowls, had a recent diagnosis and the first thing to reach for is the supplements. Now don’t get me wrong I adore supplements, however we need to understand why we are using them and be realistic of what they can achieve.

So say for example we have a dog with luxating patella, like my own dogs Rodney and Lily. With this musculoskeletal condition it isn’t just discomfort in the joint that occurs but also the surrounding soft tissue structure and compensatory tension travelling across the body. We have to approach any condition with a multimodal approach (see diagram below)

Everyone plays their part in Team Dog to successfully manage pain, not only one component will work it has to be different sources of support to get the best for your dog. So let’s take a closer look at these supplements.

It can sometimes be tempting to go for the most expensive supp, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best.

Now it’s no secret that I am a huge advocate for species-appropriate feeding (raw, home-cooked, BARF, a dog’s dinner) when we’re feeding dogs what they require on a cellular level we can look to optimise health and healing. However I appreciate raw doesn’t suit every dog but if we can add something fresh, we’re onto a winner!

So this list is what I use with my dogs to supercharge their bowl. Every dog is an individual and this list is not exhaustive of all the supplements. This list is also in no way here to replace any veterinary care.

Raw chicken feet / chicken wings
Raw whole fish (smaller the better ie sprats, sardines in spring water)
Green-lipped mussels (if struggling to source from your local fishmongers Paleo Ridge Berry Plus is excellent)
Bone broth, check out my review of Karnlea Bone Broth
There are wonderful herbs to support your dogs joints, too many to list! Check out my review of Aniforte's Rosehip Powder
For a more personalised approach, you can book an Applied Herbal Choices session with me!
Homeopathy is another great shout to and definitely find your local homeopathic vet or qualified Animal Homeopath.

Ok so there is a fair bit on here, my advice is start off slowly, don’t go piling all of this into your dog’s diet at once. If an upset tummy occurs or your dog improves, how can you narrow down what is actually having an effect.

It’s important we are objective and realistic about how a supplement is working for your dog. My first recommendation is working out what a good day and bad day looks like for your dog. Make a little note in your diary or phone what you’ve started to add and allow your supps to have time and a fair chance to work. Just because one supplement worked great for Scrappy in the park, doesn’t mean it will work wonders with your dog, so keep that in mind.

I hope this little whistle stop tour on my recommendations starts you in the right direction of using supplements with a purpose, as part of a multimodal pain management or just general joint well-being.

Hungry to know more and the science behind supplements? Check out Yorkshire Pooches Therapies Supplement CPD.

Any questions just drop me a message on my contact page.

Nourish your dogs with massage, species-appropriate nutrition and compassion.

Love Yaz, Lily, Rodney & Peggy x

yorkshirepooches

Yorkshire Pooches Therapies Events

Let's talk all things Canine Pain Management!

Hop, Skip & a Jump with Totally Pawsome Dog Training

Building Trust, Tackling Pain, and Changing Perceptions

Hop, Skip & a Jump with Canine Massage Therapy Essex

Slatmills and Canine Fitness: When “Exercise” Becomes a Welfare Issue

Hop, Skip & a Jump, with Dr Carol Hughes

Dog Gut Health: A Microbiome Journey

Hop, Skip and a Jump with Helen of Roots to Rehab

Reshaping Canine Rehab - A natter with Roots to Rehab

Hop, Skip and a Jump with Rachel Bean RVN

From Kennels to Global Classrooms: Natter with Rachel Bean RVN on Canine First Aid

Wound Healing with Photizo

DORIAN'S STORY

Canine Pain Warriors

If I talk about pain, will people listen?

Who loves a bargain?!

Yorkshire Lass loves a bargain!

Introducing Charlotte our Online Vet Physiotherapist!

Welcome to the YPT team Charlotte!

Guide to Feeding Tinned Fish

PICKING THE BEST FOR YOUR DOG

Wellness Appointment

When it comes to Canine Wellness, things can easily become overwhelming!

Is Pain as Sexy As Heelwork?

IS PAIN SEXY?

Librela, Wonder Drug?

Have we found our silver bullet for OA pain?

The Blue Paw Award- Review

An Honest CPD Review

Proud Bookworm

Self confessed book worm and nerd here!

Swimmers Tail, a real pain in the rear!

A Real Pain In The Rear!

Your Dog's Pain Diary

A Blueprint For Monitoring A Pain Trial

Canine Hip Dysplasia

Canine Hip Dysplasia

Online MOT Appointment

Everything you need to know about an Online MOT

Online Gait Analysis

Everything you need to know about an Online Gait Analysis

Booking your dog into Yorkshire Pooches Therapies Clinic

Booking your dog into Yorkshire Pooches Therapies Clinic

Time to ditch the flinger

Time to ditch the flinger

Welcome to the Raw Club

Welcome to the Raw Club

Who Is Canine Massage for?

Who Is Canine Massage For?

The Value of Paper

"The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper, and re-imagines the world." Malcom Gladwell

Team Work

Team work, makes the dream work.

Your Dog, Your Athlete

What are your working goals for you and your dog?

So what is THE best joint supplement?

If I had £1 for every time I was asked this question!

"The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper, and re-imagines the world."
Malcom Gladwell